K Raju, Kerala Animal Husbandry Minister has said on Wednesday that almost one lakh ducks will be culled after cases of H5N1 virus or avian flu has been reported from many parts in Alappuzha district in the South Indian state.
"Earlier what used to be done was all the poultry birds in a one square kilometre radius where such birds have been affected would be culled, but this time we have decided to only cull the ducks in areas where affected birds have been identified," Raju said during a meeting with officials and stake holders on Wednesday.
It was on October 25, the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal had confirmed the news on the outbreak of the bird flu in Kerala. Following this, approximately 38,000 ducks were culled after the presence of the virus was reported in Thakazhi, Ramankari, Pandi, Pallippad and Kainadi in Alappuzha. The Minister has also announced to provide compensation of Rs 200 for each bird and Rs 5 for each destroyed egg.
Meanwhile, the minister had earlier confirmed that the virus that caused the death of ducks will not affect human beings. "It has been confirmed that the virus that caused the death of ducks will not affect human beings and hence there need be no panic at all," said Raju.
More than two lakh poultry birds were culled in Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts following an outbreak of avian flu two years ago.
